Luggage protection assembly

ABSTRACT

An assembly structured to protect a piece of mobile or other type of luggage includes a housing comprising oppositely disposed end and side portions, wherein one end portion is cooperatively structured with the rolling support of the luggage piece to facilitate passage therethrough and allow the rolling support to engage a supporting surface over which the luggage piece travels. An opposite end portion or other appropriate part of the housing is structured to provide access to the one or more handles associated with the mobile luggage piece. An entrance opening is provided in the housing which is dimensioned and configured to allow passage of the luggage piece therethrough and a closure assembly is movably connected to the housing and selectively disposed into and out of a closing relation to the entrance whereby the luggage piece is protected against damage and/or unauthorized access.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to a luggage protector assembly including abody having a hollow interior dimensioned and configured to receive andretain at least one luggage piece therein. Further, the body of theluggage protection assembly is structured to accommodate “mobileluggage” which includes one or more wheels or rolling supports whichfacilitate the travel or passage of the mobile luggage piece over asupporting service.

2. Description of the Related Art

With increased travel of modern day society, there is a recognized needfor covers to protect the outer surfaces of luggage during use,especially in dealing with commercial carriers. At present, luggage maybe provided with custom tailored covers which is frequently veryexpensive. On the other end of the economic spectrum, some individualshave resorted to covering luggage pieces in plastic wrap and then tapingthe cover in place. Obvious problems exist with this latter protectivetechnique relating to providing access to the interiors of the luggageduring inspection procedures.

Some manufacturers have provided less expensive covers designed fortheir particular kind of luggage. However, because there is no standarddimension of many luggage pieces, these covers could not be used for theluggage of other manufacturers. Furthermore, various suppliers ofluggage covers or protectors find it inconvenient to carry a largeinventory represented by different types, dimensions and configurationsof luggage covers, thereby making it difficult to obtain an appropriateprotective cover.

Over the years, luggage protectors have been developed to shield itemsof baggage and the like to protect them from the weather and frommarring, scratching or other type damage which may typically occur oncommercial carriers, as set forth above. As also set forth above,commercial availability of such protective covers is not common. Thismay be due to the complicated nature and/or the configuring or sizing ofcover structures to accommodate various styles of luggage pieces. Forexample, when a passenger's luggage must be opened for airportinspection, as is currently required before boarding planes and othercommercial carriers, access to the luggage piece may be required.However, the attachment and removal of conventional or make-shift coverstructures to accomplish such inspection is difficult, time consumingand serves to delay the overall inspection process.

The above set forth problems are increased due to the fact that inrecent years there has been a proliferation of luggage types, styles,materials and designs, specifically including mobile luggage. Purchaseof luggage frequently requires significant investment due to theexpensive materials and intricate construction. Luggage that meets thetraveler's needs for lightweight construction and/or organized packingfrequently is more subject to damage from handling during the travelingprocedure. By way of example only, flexible material bags and other softsided luggage are often caught, snagged or torn by automatic baggagehandling equipment.

All of the above noted problems have been compounded due to the factthat modern day society frequently uses the aforementioned “mobileluggage” wherein luggage piece includes a wheel or roller assembly onone end thereof. The opposite end of such mobile luggage includes one ormore handles, at least one of which is extendable outward to facilitatethe pulling, pushing or otherwise manipulation of the luggage pieceduring the movable support over a supporting surface.

Therefore, in light of the above noted problems and disadvantagesassociated with self-made, conventional or commercially availableluggage protective covers there is a need in this art for a luggageprotection assembly which is readily usable with a variety of luggagetypes and designs. In addition the versatility of such a proposedluggage piece should be such as to render it readily adaptable forprotective retention of mobile luggage pieces of the type set forthabove.

In doing so a preferred and proposed luggage protecting assembly shouldaccommodate the rolling support such as wheels, rollers, etc. of avariety of different luggage styles as well as the location andstructure of the handles of while maintaining a secure retention andprotection of the luggage piece on interior portions thereof.

Further, the mounting and removal of such a proposed luggage protectionassembly should be easily and quickly accomplished thereby enablinginspection of the luggage piece and its contents, when necessary byauthorized personnel. Moreover, the material from which the luggagecover is formed can serve to protect the closed and retained luggagepiece from damage of all types and be readily acceptable to x-ray andother inspection equipment through which luggage typically passes suchas at modern airport facilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an assembly structured to protect apiece of luggage including a piece of mobile luggage which is includes awheel assembly or other type of rolling or mobile support. Asconventionally used and structured, mobile luggage includes at least oneextendible handle, selectively disposable between a retracted orcollapsed position and an outwardly extended, operative position. Whenso extended, the handle facilitates the pulling of the mobile luggagepiece as the mobile or rolling support moves over the supportingsurface.

It is emphasized that the protective assembly of the present invention,in each of its plurality of different embodiments, may be used withconventional or non-mobile luggage. However, structural and operativefeatures associated with the various preferred embodiments facilitateits use with a mobile piece of luggage in a manner which does notrequire alteration, repositioning or modification of the mobile luggagepiece or the protection assembly of the present invention.

More specifically, the luggage protection assembly of the presentinvention comprises a housing which may be formed from a flexible,semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or substantially rigid material. Further, thehousing includes a hollow interior dimensioned and configured tosubstantially or entirely enclose the luggage piece. As a result, thecorresponding luggage piece is protected from damage caused by outsideforces, which commonly occur during handling of the luggage duringtravel and storage. In addition unauthorized access to the luggage pieceand the contents thereof is also significantly restricted.

Additional structural and operational features of the luggage protectionassembly include the housing comprising oppositely disposed end portionsand oppositely disposed side portions. Moreover, a first of the endportions is cooperatively structured to facilitate passage of thewheels, rolling members or other type mobile support of the luggagepiece there through. Such accessible accommodation of the mobile supportwith the first end portion facilitates positioning of the wheels orother rolling support of the luggage piece into movable engagement withthe surface over which the housing and enclosed luggage piece travels.In cooperation therewith, a second or opposite one of the end portionsis structured to provide access to one or more luggage handles typicallylocated on a corresponding end of the luggage piece which is opposite tothe mobile support. Therefore, the mobile luggage piece may be used inthe intended and conventional fashion in terms of exerting a pulling orother propelling force thereon when the luggage piece is disposed withinthe protective housing.

The housing further includes an entrance in the form of an openingwhich, dependent on the preferred embodiment of the present inventionutilized, may be located on or defined by different portions of thehousing. In more specific terms, the entrance is dimensioned andconfigured to at least partially correspond to that of the luggage pieceso as to facilitate the passage of the luggage piece into and out of thehollow interior in a manner which substantially or entirely encloses theluggage piece therein. Associated with the entrance, is the provision ofa closure assembly movably connected to the housing and selectivelypositionable into and out of closing and/or covering relation to theentrance opening and, in most embodiments, to at least to acorresponding portion of the luggage piece.

A lock assembly is mounted on and operatively associated with at least aportion of the closure assembly and is structured to restrict movementof the closure assembly out of the aforementioned closing relation tothe entrance. In at least one preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the closure assembly comprises at least one but morepractically a plurality of flaps movably connected to the housing inadjacent relation to the entrance opening. As such, the one or moreflaps are individually or collectively dimensioned and configured toclose and/or cover the entrance opening in overlying and possiblycovering relation to the corresponding portion of the enclosed luggagepiece. In cooperation therewith, the aforementioned lock assembly mayassume a variety of different structural and operational features suchas by being located on the exterior of one of the flaps and disposed tocooperate and/or at least partially mate with one or more of the otherflaps in a manner which facilitates a locking engagement of theplurality of flaps thereby preventing access to the enclosed luggagepiece. Alternatively, a lock assembly may include one or more locksegments or members cooperatively structured to interact with oneanother. Moreover in at least one embodiment, at least one of the lockstructures or segments may interact with a locking mechanism associatewith the luggage piece itself. Access to the luggage piece and/or itscontents may thereby be prevented or at least substantially restrictedutilizing any of a plurality of different “external locks” attached toone or more of the flaps. Such external lock structures may assume knownor conventional operational features such as being in the form of acombination lock, key lock, etc.

Further with regard to the entrance opening, it may be located or bedefined by one of the opposite end portions associated with or disposedin accessible relation to the extendible and other handle structuresassociated with the luggage piece. In this embodiment the opposite endportion associated with the wheel assembly or mobile rolling support ofthe luggage piece may include an apertured construction defined by aplurality of apertures aligned with and dimensioned to facilitate thepassage therethrough of the rolling support. In such an instance, thefirst of the two opposite end portions is substantially closed, with theexception of the plurality of rolling support openings and the secondend portion is open and associated with a plurality of movably connectedflaps structured to accommodate access the one or more luggage handles.

In yet another embodiment, the first end portion may be defined by anopen end which is also dimensioned and configured to define the entranceof the housing. Accordingly, the closure assembly comprising one or moreflaps is connected in adjacent relation to the entrance opening of thefirst open end portion and selectively disposed into interlocking,overlapping engagement with one another so as to assume the closedrelation to the entrance opening. Further, in this embodiment theplurality of flaps are cooperatively dimensioned with correspondingperipheral entrance opening portions, with which they are associated, toprovide a plurality of rolling support openings. Moreover, theseopenings may be generally located at the corners of the entrance openingbetween adjacent ones of the plurality of flaps.

It is recognized that mobile luggage comes in a variety of differentsizes and configurations. Accordingly, the housing may be structured todemonstrate sufficient versatility such that one or more portionsthereof may define the aforementioned entrance opening. By way ofexample only, the housing may include at least one side panel movablyconnected along its outer periphery to the corresponding ones of the endand side portions of the housing and selectively disposed between openand closed positions. When in the open position, the entrance opening iscorrespondingly dimensioned and configured to the side panel and isdefined by the opening created when the one side panel in the openposition.

Similarly, the closure assembly may include at least one or a pluralityof flaps movably connected to the housing and disposed in overlyingrelation to the side panel. Further, the overlapping flaps overlie andrestrict access to the connection between the one side panel and thecorresponding side and end portions. As will be explained in greaterdetail hereinafter, this protective positioning of the plurality offlaps allows the use of a zipper to connect the periphery of the oneside panel in the closed position on the housing. It is commonlyrecognized that zippers are easy to access in terms of the unauthorizedopening thereof without detection. In order to overcome such problemsassociated with the zipper type closures and allow the one side panel tobe connected to the remainder of the housing a zipper structure, theflaps can be disposed in the aforementioned protective overlappingposition. More specifically, the plurality of flaps of the closureassembly may be disposed in overlapping relation to one another suchthat the zipper's closure is completely covered. Interlocking engagementof the plurality of flaps with one another and with the one side panelwill serve to prevent access to the zipper closure thereby furtherrestricting access to the luggage piece contained within the hollowinterior.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detaileddescription are taken into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the luggageprotector assembly of the present invention wherein a piece of mobileluggage is disposed on the interior thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of theluggage protector assembly of the present invention similar to butdistinguishable from the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of theluggage protector assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of theluggage protector assembly of the present invention in an openorientation.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 in a closedorientation.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As represented in the accompanying Figures, the present invention isdirected to an assembly generally indicated as 10 structured to protectluggage such as, but not limited to, “mobile luggage”. An example of apiece of mobile luggage is generally indicated as 100 and may include amovable support such as wheels, rollers or other rolling supportmembers, generally indicated as 102. As is well known pieces of mobileluggage pieces may vary in size and configuration and accordingly mayhave a variety of differently placed or structured wheels or otherrolling support members 102. The versatility of the luggage protectionassembly 10 is such as to efficiently accommodate luggage pieces ofvarying sizes and shapes. Accordingly, the various embodiments of theluggage protecting assembly 10 of the present invention may come in avariety of different and possibly corresponding sizes and/or shapes soas to accommodate the different luggage styles, including both mobileand non-mobile luggage pieces.

With primary reference to one preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, theluggage protecting assembly 10 includes a housing generally indicated as12 including opposite end portions 14 and 16 as well as oppositelydisposed side portions 18 and 20. The side portions 18 and 20 aregenerally disposed in interconnecting relation between the end portions14 and 16 and thereby collectively define the outer periphery of thebody 12. The housing 12 may generally conform to the overall shape,size, etc. of the luggage piece 100 and therefore may also includeoppositely disposed side panels 22 and 24.

As further represented in FIG. 1 the hollow interior of the housing maybe correspondingly dimensioned and configured to the exterior dimensionsand configurations of the luggage piece 100 being contained therein.Therefore, at least one of the opposite ends, such as a first oppositeend 14, may be “closed” but structured to facilitate receipt and passageof the wheels or rolling support members 102 therethrough. As such, theone end portion 14 may include an “apertured construction” wherein aplurality of apertures 25 may be formed in the one or first closed endportion 14. Further, the one or more apertures 25 defining the aperturedconstruction are disposed and dimensioned in at least partial alignmentwith corresponding ones of the rolling supports 102. As such, when theluggage piece 100 is placed within the hollow interior of the housing12, the wheels, rollers or other rolling supports 102 may easily andefficiently pass through the apertures 25. The rolling members 102 arethereby disposed to access and engage a supporting surface 105 overwhich the housing 12 and the retained luggage piece 100 travels.

While the present invention is primarily described as a luggageprotecting assembly 10 structured to protect a “mobile” luggage piece100, it is emphasized that at least one embodiment may be used toprotect a luggage piece that may not be “mobile” in the sense of nothaving a mobile support connected directly thereto. More specifically,one or more embodiments of the luggage protecting assembly 10 mayinclude mobile support members 102′ connected thereto, such as on aclosed end 14. Therefore the rolling support members 102′ enhance theversatility of the luggage protecting assembly 10 by enabling its usewith a luggage piece which is absent the rolling support members 102 orwhere the location, size, configuration, etc. of existing roller supportmembers 102 on the luggage piece 100 does coincide with the “aperturedconstruction” in the manner described herein.

As also represented in FIG. 1, the body 12 includes an entrance openinggenerally indicated as 28 which is formed in the opposite or second endportion 16. Therefore this embodiment includes the opposite end portion16 being “open” so as to define an entrance opening 28. Entrance opening28 is sufficiently dimensioned and configured to allow passage of theluggage piece 100 therethrough into a retaining position within thehollow interior of the body 12. The entrance opening 28 is also directlyassociated with a closure assembly generally indicated as 30. Morespecifically, the closure assembly 30 comprises one or more flaps 32 and34. Further, each of the plurality of flaps 32 and 34 are movably and orpivotally connected to the body 12 substantially adjacent to theentrance opening 28 and the periphery of the second end portion 16. Assuch, the plurality of flaps 32 and 34 are individually and/orcollectively dimensioned and configured to overlie an exposed end 100′or correspondingly positioned portion of the luggage piece 100, in aclosing relation to the entrance opening 28. When in such a closingrelation to the entrance opening 28, the plurality of flaps 32 and 34are disposed in overlying, covering and protecting relation to theexposed end or surface 100′ of the luggage piece 100.

In addition, a lock assembly 31 is mounted on or connected to thehousing 12 preferably, but not exclusively, in direct association withthe closure assembly 30. In more specific terms, the lock assembly 31may include at least one lock member 36 secured to at least one of theplurality of flaps 32 and 34. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the lockmember or structure 36 is designed to cooperate with a lock member orstructure 36′ which may be directly attached to the luggage piece 100being retained within the housing 12. Accordingly, flap 34 includesproperly disposed openings as at 37 and 39 which facilitate access tothe lock 36′ as well as to one or more handles 40 mounted on or movablyconnected to the exposed or correspondingly positioned end or portion100′ of the luggage piece 100. When the flaps 32 and 34 of the entranceassembly 30 are in the closed position, flap 34 will be disposed indirect engaging relation to the end portion 100′ and opening 37 willoverly the luggage lock segment 36′. Once the flap 32 is disposed inoverlying relation to the previously “closed” flap 34, the lockstructure 36, connected to and movable with the flap 32, will then passboth through the opening 37 and into removable locking engagement withthe luggage lock segment 36′. In turn, cooperatively disposed openings39 and 41 respectively formed on the entrance flaps 34 and 32 are suchthat opening 39 will be aligned with the handle 40 and slot or opening41 will be disposed in overlying, aligned relation to both the opening39 and the handle 40 when the flaps 32 and 34 are in the closedorientation.

In another preferred embodiment represented in FIG. 2 the body is alsogenerally designated as 12. A comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2 will clearlyindicate that the bodies 12 of both these embodiments may be similar atleast in shape. As such, the body 12 of FIG. 2 also includes oppositeend portions 14 and 16, wherein the first opposite end 14 is closed andincludes an apertured construction at least partially defined by theopenings or apertures 25 which allow passage therethrough of the wheelsor other supports 102. In addition, both bodies 12 include side portions18 and 20 as well as oppositely disposed side panels 22 and 24.

However, in the embodiment of FIG. 2 the closure assembly generallyindicated as 30 includes a plurality of flaps 32 through 35 which differin size, number and location from that of FIG. 1. More specifically,each of the flaps 32 through 35 are movably connected adjacent to theentrance opening 28 and are movably disposed into and out of closingrelation to the entrance opening 28. In addition, a lock assembly 31comprises one or more lock structures 37″ directly associated with oneor more of the flaps 32 through 35 in a manner which facilitates theoverlapping or covering relation of each of the flaps relative to theexposed portion 100′ of the luggage piece 100. Further, the plurality offlaps 32 through 35 are cooperatively dimensioned and disposed so as tooverlap one another and/or the exposed portion 100′ of the luggage piece100 in a manner which collectively disposes the plurality of flaps 32through 35 of the closure assembly 30 in closing relation to theentrance opening 28. Further, due to the additional opposing flaps 33and 35, the dimension thereof may be somewhat shortened so as to notcompletely cover or overlap handle portions 40 and 40′ of the luggagepiece 100. As with the embodiment of FIG. 1 the other, correspondingflaps 32 and 34 have appropriate slots, 37, 39 and 41 which aredisposable in aligned relation to one another when the flaps are in aclosing relation to the entrance opening 28. This provides clear andeasy access to the handles 40, 40′. As is well known in the mobileluggage industry, at least one of the handles such as at 40′ may beextendable outwardly so as to facilitate the rolling or “pulling” of theluggage piece 100 by some or all of the rolling wheels or rollingsupports 102. Further, when in closed relation to the entrance opening28, the lock structures or segments 37″ are positioned in alignedrelation to one another so as to form an interconnecting, lockingaction. This locking action serves to restrict unauthorized access tothe hollow interior of the body 12 and the luggage piece 100 containedtherein.

As represented in FIG. 3 yet another embodiment of the luggageprotecting assembly is generally indicated as 110 and includes a body112 having a hollow interior which is dimensioned and configured toallow retention of a luggage piece (not shown) therein. In thisembodiment, the body 112 includes the aforementioned opposite endportions 114 and 116 as well as oppositely disposed side portions 118and 120. The body 112 also includes oppositely disposed side panels 122and 124. In the additional preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the firstopposite end 114 has an open construction and thereby defines theentrance opening 128. The entrance opening 128 is of sufficientdimension and configuration to allow passage into the hollow interior ofthe body 112 of an appropriately sized and dimensioned piece of luggage.As set forth herein, the body 112 is specifically, but not exclusively,adapted to retain the mobile piece of luggage on the interior thereof.Accordingly, the second end portion 116 has a closed structure asclearly indicated. Appropriate slots or openings 150 and 152 are formedin the closed end portion 116 in order to provide clear and effectiveaccess to the one or more handles such as at 40 and 40′ of the luggagepiece 100, as describe with reference to FIG. 2.

The first open end 114 of the body 112 also includes a closure assemblygenerally indicated as 130, which is at least partially defined by aplurality of flaps 132, 133, 134, 135. The flaps 132 through 135 aremovably connected to the body 112 adjacent the entrance opening 128 andmay be disposed in overlying, covering relation to any luggage piececontained therein and in closing relation to the entrance opening 128.Further, one or more of the flaps may include a lock assembly 131directly associated therewith such that the flaps 132 through 135 arecooperatively dimensioned and configured so as to align lockingstructures or segments 136 with one another when the plurality of flapsare in a closed, overlying and/or covering relation to the entranceopening 128.

Further, in that the second opposite end 116 is closed, provision ismade in the open opposite end 114 for the passage of a mobile supportassembly or rolling support such as wheels 102 therethrough. Thisaccommodation is made by shortening the transverse dimension of each ofthe flaps 132 through 135 so as to create an open space as at 160,preferably at the corners of the flaps and the entrance opening 128.Therefore, when the plurality of flaps 132 through 135 are disposed inclosing relation relative to the entrance opening 128, open spaces 160will be provided to facilitate the alignment, receipt and passage of theplurality of wheel and/or rolling supports 102 therethrough into anaccessible relation with the surface over which the body 112 and anyluggage piece contained therein.

FIGS. 4 and 5 relate to yet another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the cover assembly is indicated as 210. As clearlyrepresented, FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively represent the luggage protectingassembly 210 in open and closed positions respectively. Accordingly, theembodiment 210 includes body 212 and opposite end portions 214 and 216.Also, opposite side portions 218 and 220 extend along the length of thebody 212 and effectively interconnect the first and second end portions214 and 216. Also, the oppositely disposed side panels 222 and 224extend along the length of the body 212 and are effectivelyinterconnected about the peripheries thereof to the opposite endportions 214, 216 as well as the opposite side portions 212, 220.Further, in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 the entrance opening 228 isdefined or formed by a movable connection of the one side panel 222 to aremainder of the body 212. As such, the one panel 222 may be selectivelydisposed between the open position of FIG. 4 and the closed position ofFIG. 5. Further, a closure assembly 230 comprises a plurality of panels232 through 234 as well as the one side panel 222.

An additional feature of this preferred embodiment is the removableconnection of the periphery 222′ to the correspondingly disposedperipheries of the end and side portions 214, 218 and 216 as generallyindicated at 214′, 218′ and 216′. It should therefore be apparent thatthe removable attachment of the one side panel 222 to the reminder ofthe body 212 in closing relation to the entrance opening 228 isaccomplished by one or more zipper structures extending along therespective peripheries 22′, 214′, 218′ and 216′.

It is further recognized that access to a zipper structure, especiallyrelating to the unauthorized entry into the contents of luggage iseasily accomplished. Therefore, the plurality of flaps 232 through 234of the closure assembly 230 are disposed, dimensioned and configured toeffectively cover the zipper structure serving to removably connect theone side panel 222 to the remainder of the body 212. Therefore, in theclosed orientation of FIG. 5, the one side panel 122, which is also tobe considered a part of the closure assembly 130, is connected inoverlying, covering relation to the entrance opening 228 by activationor closing of the aforementioned zipper structure. Once in the closedorientation, various lengths or segments of the zipper structure arecovered by the overlapping positioning of the flaps 232, 233 and 234relative to corresponding portions of the first side panels 122corresponding zipper segments.

Further, a locking assembly is generally indicated as 270 and includes aplurality of lock segments 271, 272, 273 connected to appropriateportions of the respective panels 232 through 234. As such, thecooperative disposition of the locking assembly at 270 with the lockingsegments 271 through 273 facilitates a lock engagement of the pluralityof panels 232 through 234 in overlapping relation to the one side panel222 and in covering, protecting relation to corresponding segments ofthe zipper structure which serves to removably connect the periphery222′ of the one side panel 222 to the remainder of the body 212.

The embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 also includes appropriate apertures asat 25 for the passage of wheels or other rolling support therethroughonce the luggage piece is disposed within the hollow interior of thebody 212. Similarly, appropriate openings, slots as at 250 and 252 areprovided to assure quick and easy access to one or both of one or moreluggage handles mounted on an appropriate portion of the luggage pieceretained within the hollow interior of the body 212.

It also emphasized that the various embodiments of the present inventionare at least partially represented in FIGS. 1-5 in schematic form.Therefore, as set forth above, the luggage protection assembly 10, 110,210, etc. defining the various preferred embodiments of the presentinvention comprises a housing and flaps, which may be formed from aflexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or substantially rigid material.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be madeto the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intendedthat all matters in the foregoing description and shown in theaccompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Now that the invention has been described,

What is claimed is:
 1. A assembly structured to protect a luggage piece,said assembly comprising: a housing having a hollow interior dimensionedto receive the luggage piece therein; said housing including oppositelydisposed end portions and opposite side portions, at least one of saidend portions structured to allow disposition of a movable support forthe luggage piece and housing into engaging relation with a supportingsurface, the other of said end portions structured to provide access toand allow passage of at least one luggage handle through said other endportion, said housing further including an entrance dimensioned andconfigured to facilitate passage of the luggage piece therethrough intoand out of said hollow interior, and a closure assembly movablyconnected to said housing and positionable into and out of closingrelation to said entrance and at least partially covering relation to atleast a portion of the luggage piece.
 2. An assembly as recited in claim1 further comprising a lock assembly mounted on at least a portion ofsaid closure assembly and structured to selectively restrict movement ofsaid closure assembly out of said closing relation to said entrance. 3.An assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said closure assemblycomprises a plurality of flaps, said lock assembly connected to at leastone of said plurality of flaps and disposed and structured to maintainsaid plurality of flaps, collectively, in said closing relation to saidentrance.
 4. An assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein at least one ofsaid plurality of flaps is disposed in a protective, shielding relationto a connecting structure of another of said plurality of flaps.
 5. Anassembly as recited in claim 3 wherein at least one of said plurality offlaps is removably securable in covering relation to said entrance by azipper structure; at least some of a remainder of said plurality offlaps are movably connected to said housing and disposable in overlying,protective relation to said zipper structure, when said closure assemblyis in said closing relation to said entrance.
 6. An assembly as recitedin claim 2 wherein said lock assembly comprises a plurality of lockingstructures; at least one of said locking structures is disposed on theluggage piece and one other of said locking structures is disposed onone of said plurality of flaps, said one other locking structure movablewith the corresponding flap relative to said entrance and into lockingengagement with said one locking structure.
 7. An assembly as recited inclaim 1 wherein said one end portion comprises an open end dimensionedto define said entrance; said open end configured to facilitate passageof the movable support of the luggage piece therethrough into engagementwith the supporting surface.
 8. An assembly as recited in claim 7wherein said closure assembly comprises a plurality of flaps pivotallyconnected to said housing adjacent said open end and disposable intosaid closing relation; said plurality of flaps cooperatively dimensionedand configured with said open end to facilitate passage of the mobilesupport through said open end when said closure assembly is in saidclosed relation to said entrance.
 9. An assembly as recited in claim 1wherein said one end portion comprises an at least partially closed end;said closed end including an apertured construction formed therein inreceiving relation to the mobile support.
 10. An assembly as recited inclaim 9 wherein said apertured construction comprises a plurality ofapertures formed in said closed end, said plurality of aperturescorrespondingly disposed in substantially aligned, receiving relation toa plurality of roller members, of which the mobile support is comprised,when the luggage piece is disposed within said hollow interior.
 11. Anassembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said other end portion comprisesan open end dimensioned to define said entrance; said closure assemblycomprising a plurality of flaps pivotally connected to said housingadjacent said open end, said plurality of flaps structured to receivepassage of the at least one luggage handle therethrough when saidclosure assembly is in said closed relation to said entrance and saidluggage piece is disposed within said hollow interior.
 12. An assemblyas recited in claim 11 further comprising a lock assembly mounted on atleast one of said flaps, said lock assembly structured to restrictmovement of said plurality of flaps out of said closing relation to saidentrance.
 13. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said housingcomprises at least two side panels disposed in spaced, substantiallyopposing relation to one another, at least one of said side panelsmovably connected to the remainder of said housing and disposablebetween an open position and a closed position relative to said hollowinterior; said housing including an opening formed therein upondisposition of said one side panel from said closed position to saidopen position; said opening defining said entrance.
 14. An assembly asrecited in claim 13 wherein said closed position comprises said one sidepanel removably and concurrently connected to at least one of said endportions and at least one of said side portions continuously along aperiphery of said one side panel when in said closed position.
 15. Anassembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said opening comprises aconfiguration and dimension substantially corresponding to aconfiguration and dimension of said one side panel.
 16. An assembly asrecited in claim 14 wherein said closure assembly comprises a pluralityof flaps movably connected to said housing adjacent said opening; saidclosing relation further comprising said plurality of flaps disposed anddimensioned to collectively overly said one side panel when said oneside panel is in said closed position.
 17. An assembly as recited inclaim 16 wherein said lock assembly is connected to at least one of saidplurality of flaps and disposed and structured to maintain saidplurality of flaps collectively in said closing relation to saidentrance.
 18. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said one endportion comprises an at least partially closed end; said closed endincluding a plurality of roller elements attached thereto and disposablein engaging relation to a supporting surface over which the luggagepiece travels.
 19. An assembly structured to protect at least one mobileluggage piece having a rolling support, said assembly comprising: ahousing having a hollow interior dimensioned to receive and at leastpartially enclose the luggage piece therein, said housing comprising afirst and a second oppositely disposed end portions and opposed sideportions, said side portions disposed in interconnecting relation tosaid end portions, said first end portion cooperatively structured withthe rolling support to facilitate passage of the rolling supporttherethrough into engageable relation with a supporting surface of theluggage piece, said housing further including an entrance dimensionedand configured to facilitate passage of the luggage piece therethroughinto and out of said hollow interior, a closure assembly comprising aplurality of flaps movably connected to said housing adjacent saidentrance, said plurality of flaps dimensioned and configured to becollectively disposed into and out of closing relation to said entrance,and a lock assembly connected to at least one of said plurality of flapsand disposed and structured to maintain said plurality of flapscollectively in said closing relation to said entrance.
 20. An assemblyas recited in claim 19 wherein said second end portion is structured toprovide access to and allow passage of at least one luggage handletherethrough.
 21. An assembly as recited in claim 19 wherein said firstend portion comprises an open end dimensioned to define said entrance;said plurality of flaps pivotally connected to said housing adjacentsaid open end and disposable into said closing relation relative to saidopen end, said open end and plurality of flaps cooperatively structuredand dimensioned to receive passage of the rolling support therethroughwhen said plurality of flaps are in said closed relation to said openend.
 22. An assembly as recited in claim 19 wherein said first endcomprises an at least partially closed end; said closed end including aplurality of apertures formed therein, said plurality of aperturesdisposed in substantially aligned, receiving relation to a plurality ofroller members, of which the rolling support is comprised, when the oneluggage piece is within said hollow interior.
 23. An assembly as recitedin claim 19 wherein said housing comprises at least one side panelmovably connected to a remainder of said housing and disposable betweenan open position and a closed position relative to said hollow interior;said housing including an opening formed therein upon disposition ofsaid one side panel from said closed position to said open position;said opening defining said entrance.
 24. An assembly as recited in claim23 wherein said closed position comprises said one side panel removablyand concurrently connected to said first and second end portions andsaid side portions, along a periphery of said one side panel when insaid closed position.
 25. An assembly as recited in claim 24 whereinsaid plurality of flaps are movably connected to said housing adjacentsaid opening; said closing relation of said closure assembly furthercomprising said plurality of flaps disposed and dimensioned tocollectively overly a peripheral connection of said one side panel withsaid end and side portions, when said one side panel is in said closedposition.